Wales boss Bellamy has no fear of Belgium after 'best year'
The former Liverpool and Manchester City striker has enjoyed a dream start to his first managerial role with five wins and four draws in nine games.
Avoiding defeat in Brussels would match the Welsh record of 10 games undefeated set under Mark Hughes between 2001 and 2003.
But Bellamy has no fear of defeat against a Belgian side ranked eighth in the world.
"It's going to happen (losing a game). Do I live in fear of it? Not at all. I don't live that way," said Bellamy at his pre-match press conference.
"I've had so many setbacks in my life, it's ok, I'm still here. And I've actually just had the best year of my life. This has been the best.
"How did I get that at 45? It's what I've been waiting for but, at the same time, it's like I don't know what's around the corner.
"But I know what I'm going to do. Enjoy everything. The good, the bad, whatever it is."
Group J leaders Wales are six points clear of Belgium after beating Liechtenstein 3-0 on Friday.
Bellamy's men have taken seven points from their first three qualifiers, while Belgium began their campaign with a 1-1 draw in North Macedonia on Friday.
That six-point gap has put early pressure on Belgium, who have won only one of their last eight games and are under new management in former Napoli and Lyon boss Rudi Garcia.
"We've done everything we could. That's the honest truth," added Bellamy.
"I've just loved every moment because they train, they work, they show up, and to have that is amazing.
"I don't to have say, 'that wasn't good enough, no, we need to be sharper'. Never once I had to. So they give you energy."
Wales are again without Leeds winger Daniel James, who has failed to recover from illness after missing the Liechtenstein win.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
9 hours ago
- France 24
Wales boss Bellamy has no fear of Belgium after 'best year'
The former Liverpool and Manchester City striker has enjoyed a dream start to his first managerial role with five wins and four draws in nine games. Avoiding defeat in Brussels would match the Welsh record of 10 games undefeated set under Mark Hughes between 2001 and 2003. But Bellamy has no fear of defeat against a Belgian side ranked eighth in the world. "It's going to happen (losing a game). Do I live in fear of it? Not at all. I don't live that way," said Bellamy at his pre-match press conference. "I've had so many setbacks in my life, it's ok, I'm still here. And I've actually just had the best year of my life. This has been the best. "How did I get that at 45? It's what I've been waiting for but, at the same time, it's like I don't know what's around the corner. "But I know what I'm going to do. Enjoy everything. The good, the bad, whatever it is." Group J leaders Wales are six points clear of Belgium after beating Liechtenstein 3-0 on Friday. Bellamy's men have taken seven points from their first three qualifiers, while Belgium began their campaign with a 1-1 draw in North Macedonia on Friday. That six-point gap has put early pressure on Belgium, who have won only one of their last eight games and are under new management in former Napoli and Lyon boss Rudi Garcia. "We've done everything we could. That's the honest truth," added Bellamy. "I've just loved every moment because they train, they work, they show up, and to have that is amazing. "I don't to have say, 'that wasn't good enough, no, we need to be sharper'. Never once I had to. So they give you energy." Wales are again without Leeds winger Daniel James, who has failed to recover from illness after missing the Liechtenstein win.
France 24
2 days ago
- France 24
Venezuela boost qualification hopes as Colombia falter
A calamitous fifth-minute own goal from Hector Cuellar and a 30th-minute strike from veteran forward Salomon Rondon ensured the three points for the Vinotinto in Maturin. The victory, which came after a frustrating night for Colombia, left Venezuela in seventh place on 18 points - three points behind Colombia and Uruguay. Venezuela travel to Uruguay on Tuesday knowing a win would put them in real contention for a top six spot and an automatic place in next year's tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The final two games for Uruguay come in September when they are away to already qualified Argentina before a potentially crucial last match at home to Colombia on September 6. The top six teams in South America qualify directly for the World Cup with the seventh placed country entering the inter-confederation playoffs. Bolivia gifted the home side the lead when Cuellar played a gentle back pass towards his goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra who somehow failed to control the ball which passed through his legs and into the net. The much-travelled Rondon, Venezuela's all-time top scorer, doubled the lead on the half hour when he brought down a cross from the right and under pressure buried the ball in the corner with his left foot. Jon Aramburu should have made it 3-0 in the 68th minute when he was set up by Rondon but side-footed wide. Eighth-placed Bolivia, who now fall four points behind Venezuela, went close to pulling a goal back in the 75th minute when Lucas Chavez's effort grazed the outside of the post. Colombia, runners-up in the Copa America last year, are making life difficult for themselves after being held by second to last Peru in Barranquilla, extending their winless run in the CONMEBOL qualifiers to five games. Missing the suspended Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, Colombia lacked creativity in attack against a resilient Peru back line and they were booed off the field at the final whistle. "Two fundamental things were missing to win the game, which was the final third and precision. And I think Peru defended very well. They made it difficult for us in that sense," said Colombia's Argentine coach Nestor Lorenzo. Colombia face Argentina in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. Argentina, who are on 34 points, are assured of top spot in the group while Ecuador and Paraguay are on 24 points ahead of Brazil on 22. Just six points separate second-placed Ecuador from seventh-placed Venezuela with three rounds of games remaining.
France 24
2 days ago
- France 24
Italy thrashed by Norway as Belgium held in World Cup qualifying
Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland all scored in the first half in pouring rain in Oslo as Norway made it a night to forget for Italy, who missed out on the last two World Cups. Italy are playing catch-up with Norway, the Group I leaders with a maximum nine points after wins over Moldova and Israel in March when the Azzurri were still involved in the UEFA Nations League. Israel are second on six points after a 3-1 win over Estonia in Tallinn, where Norway will head for their next game on Monday. Italy return home to face Moldova in Reggio Emilia in their second game. Belgium kicked off their qualifying bid in Group J with a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia. Maxim De Cuyper gave Belgium the lead after Romelu Lukaku's shot was blocked but former Leeds man Ezgjan Alioski volleyed in the equaliser with four minutes to play in Skopje. North Macedonia are unbeaten through three matches but trail Wales, who top the pile on seven points following a 3-0 home win over Liechtenstein. Joe Rodon, Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore struck in Cardiff to keep Wales unbeaten since the appointment last year of Craig Bellamy, whose side head to Brussels next week. Croatia hammered Gibraltar 7-0 in their opening match in Group J. Substitutes Franjo Ivanovic and Andrej Kramaric both scored twice, with Marco Pasalic, Ante Budimir and Ivan Perisic also on target in the Algarve. Czech Republic are the pacesetters in the section with three wins from three after a 2-0 victory at home to Montenegro. Adam Hlozek and Patrik Schick got the goals for the hosts. The 12 group winners qualify automatically for next year's expanded 48-team tournament, while the runners-up head into the play-offs which will decide the final four qualifiers from Europe.
